On December 1, 2025, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, welcomed clergy and hierarchs of Orthodox churches from across New York to his annual Saint Andrew's Day dinner. The gathering, held in honor of the Catholic feast of Saint Andrew the First-Called, brought together representatives of various Orthodox traditions in a spirit of ecumenical fellowship.
The event was attended by representatives of the Greek, Antiochian, and Serbian Orthodox Churches, the Orthodox Church in America, as well as the Armenian Church of America and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The Patriarchal Parishes were represented, with the blessing of Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, the temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, by Hieromonk John (Sheffler), a cleric of St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York City. Also present at the dinner were bishops and clergy of the Catholic Archdiocese of New York, as well as clergy from Mexico.
Beyond strengthening fraternity and ecumenical relations, participants engaged in substantive dialogue on a range of pertinent topics. Discussions focused on the recent apostolic journey of Pope Leo XIV to Turkey, the encouraging revival of church life across many Christian denominations, and the shared pastoral concerns facing Christian communities in the New York metropolitan area.
Following the dinner, Cardinal Dolan led attendees on a tour of St. Patrick's Cathedral, showcasing recent artistic enhancements, chapel additions, and ongoing restoration work that preserve the sacred character and architectural heritage of this historic landmark.
This annual gathering continues to serve as a significant forum for interfaith dialogue and cooperation between Catholic and Orthodox leaders in one of the nation's most diverse metropolitan areas.
